Warsaw (Polish: Warszawa) is the capital of Poland
and, with 1.7 million inhabitants, its largest city. Although not
particularly well known among mainstream tourists, Warsaw has a
picturesque Old Town that tells a story, some remarkable landmarks from
the communist era and a skyline full of skyscrapers, which were
developed during the last few years

During the Second World War central Poland, including
Warsaw, came under the rule of the Nazi colonial administration. In the
course of the Invasion of Poland, Warsaw was severely bombed. The
west-bank Warsaw was liberated from the Nazis on 17 January 1945 by the
Red Army. When the troops crossed the Vistula river they found a Warsaw
that had almost ceased to exist; 85% of the city had been destroyed,
including the historic Old Town and the Royal Castle.

After the war the government made Warsaw the capital
of the communist People's Republic of Poland, and the city was resettled
and rebuilt. Many of the historic streets, buildings, and churches were
restored to their original form. With the entry of Poland into the
European Union in 2004, Warsaw is currently experiencing the biggest
economic boom of its history. More information
here,
here and
here.

click on the photos!

The Palace of Culture and Science

The Palace of Culture and Science (Polish: Pałac Kultury i Nauki) is the tallest building in Poland (231m) and the world's 164th tallest building (07). There are 3288 rooms on 42 floors. Construction started in 1952 and lasted until 1955. A gift from the Soviet Union to the people of Poland, the tower was constructed, using Soviet plans, almost entirely by 3500 workers from the Soviet Union, of who 16 died in accidents during the construction. As the city's most visible landmark, the building was controversial from its inception. Many Poles initially hated the building because they considered it to be a symbol of Soviet domination. The building was originally known as the Joseph Stalin Palace of Culture and Science.

The Royal Castle (Polish Zamek Królewski) in Warsaw is the royal palace and official residence of the Polish monarchs. It is located at the Plac Zamkowy, at the entrance to the Old Town. Partially destroyed by German bombers during the Invasion of Poland, it was heavily damaged by German bombardment. Reconstructions were started in the early 1970s. More information her.

The Royal Castle by night

The Royal Castle

View from the Slasko-Dabrowski bridge

The Old Town

The Old Town (Polish: Stare Miasto or Starówka) is Warsaw's most distinguishable area, which once was the city center. The Old Town was obliterated in 85% during World War II. Most of the present-day buildings were carefully reconstructed in the 1950s. The castle was rebuilt even later for political reasons and has regained the adjective «royal» only after the fall of communism. Warsaw's Old Town has been placed on the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. More information here.

Old Town Market Place

Warsaw's Old Town Market Place (Pl. Rynek Starego Miasta) is the center of the Old Town of Warsaw. Warsaw's Old Town was established in the 13th century . The ancient Market Place was rebuilt in the 1950s, after having been systematically blown up by the German Army after the suppression of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. Today it is a major tourist attraction.

Old Town Market Place

Syrenka in Stare Miasto

Old Town

Nowy Swiat Street

Royal Route

Ulica Nowy Świat (Polish for "New World Street") is one of the main historic thoroughfares of Warsaw. It comprises part of the Royal Route that runs from Warsaw's Royal Castle and Old Town south to King Jan III Sobieski's 17th-century royal residence at Wilanów.

Adam Mickiewicz monument

Adam Mickiewicz monument

by night

Wyzsze Metropolitalne Seminarium

Presidential Palace

Presidential Palace (Pl. Pałac Prezydencki) is the elegant classicist latest version of a building that has stood on the Krakowskie Przedmieście site since 1643. Over the years, it has been rebuilt and remodeled many times. More information here.

Presidential Palace

by night

Holy Cross Church

Tramway

The first tramway (streetcar line) in Warsaw was opened on 11 December 1866. The last horse-drawn tram run on 26 March 1908. In 1941 the present colours of the cars were introduced (yellow and red, in the Flag of Warsaw colours). Currently the Tramwaje Warszawskie company runs 863 cars on almost 470 kilometers of track.

Polish National Opera

The Teatr Wielki (now known as Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera) is an opera company and theatre complex located on historic Teatralny (Theatre) Square in Warsaw. Since the bombings and almost complete destruction of the Second World War, the theatre has been rebuilt, and the present one reopened on 19 November 1965 after being closed for over twenty years. More information here.

Saski Garden

The Saxon Garden (Polish: Ogród Saski) is the oldest public park in Warsaw. Founded in the late 17th century, it was opened to the public in 1727 as one of the first publicly-accessible parks in the world.